USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 55
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In 1902 Mr. Gehring married Nancy Kimpson, who was born and reared in this county, where her parents are well and favorably known. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, namely: Amy Arleta, four years old at this writing, and Richard Albert, now two years of age.
Fraternally, Mr. Gehring is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and politically he is a Republican, but he takes no special interest in political matters and is not an office seeker. Mr. and Mrs. Gehring have a pleasant home and they have numerous friends throughout this section of the county.
PETER J. KALB.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch holds worthy prestige among the younger farmers of Fayette county, and as a public spirited man he occupies a conspicuous place in the community of his residence. Peter Kalb, who is one of Iowa's sterling German-American citizens, who born in the county of Dubuque on the 28th day of July, 1875. His parents, Peter and Anna (Weaber) Kalb, were born in Germany and came to America in 1852, before their marriage, making the voyage on the same sailing vessel and being on the ocean two months ere reaching their destination in the city of New Orleans. John Kalb, a brother of Peter, Sr., accompanied the latter to the new world and is now living in Dubuque, this state. In due time Peter Kalb and Anna Weaber were married, and came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque county, where Mr. Kalb purchased ninety acres of government land which he at once proceeded to improve and reduce to cultivation. Later he bought an additional eighty acres, which he subsequently increased by forty acres adjoin- ing, the entire tract, consisting of two hundred and ten acres, becoming in
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the course of a few years one of the finest farms and among the most beautiful and desirable country homes in the county. Peter Kalb was quite successful as a farmer and at his death left a very valuable estate. He was essentially a self-made man and as such was held in high esteem in his neighborhood and enjoyed to a marked degree the confidence of his fellow citizens. His first wife dying on the 12th of April, 1876, he subsequently married Margaret Younkers, who, with their four children, is still living. Mr. Kalb departed this life on the 8th day of May, 1887. By his marriage with Anna Weaber he had three children, John, Peter, of this review, and Joseph, the subject being the only survivor. The following are the names of the children born to the second marriage : Anna, wife of Peter Pitz. of Dubuque county ; Mar- garet, who married Henry George, also a resident of that county; Paul and Bert, who are with their mother on the family homestead.
Peter Kalb, subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native county and received his educational discipline in the Catholic schools near his home and a similar school in the town of Centralia. At the early age of sixteen years he started out to make his own way and lay the founda- tion of his fortune, his first effort being as a farm laborer, in which capacity he continued for several years with the object in view of ultimately becoming something more than a worker for others. Animated by this laudable mo- tive, he applied himself diligently to all he undertook, saved his earnings with scrupulous care, and in 1894 found himself in a position to carry out the reso- lutions made in his youth. Accordingly in that year he came to Fayette county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of new land in section 10, Scott township, to the improvement of which he at once addressed himself. By industry and thrift Mr. Kalb soon succeeded in reducing the greater part of his land to cultivation and it was not long until he added a series of im- provements which made his farm one of the best as well as one of the most beautiful and attractive places of its kind in the township. In 1894 he erected his present comfortable modern dwelling, which, with other buildings in keep- ing therewith, adds very much to the appearance of the farm, to say nothing of its increase in value. Since coming to his present place of residence his career has been signally successful and, as indicated in a preceding paragraph, he is now in independent circumstances and occupies a leading and influential position among the men of his calling in the township honored by his citizen- ship. Mr. Kalb carried the mail for one year between the towns of Scott and Aurora and at the present time is treasurer of school district No. I. He manifests an active interest in all that makes for the material advancement of his township and county and the advancement of the people, gives an un-
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yielding support to the Democratic party and keeps in touch with the leading questions and issues of the times, on all of which he is well informed, being an independent thinker whose opinions command respect and carry weight.
With a desire to see and inform himself concerning the vast extent of our· western domain, Mr. Kalb, in 1899, started on an extended trip through various states and territories, proceeding as far as the Pacific coast and visit- ing many interesting places in California and elsewhere. During this trip, which occupied the greater part of two years, he traveled several thousand miles and added greatly to his knowledge and practical experience to say nothing of the pleasure enjoyed ere returning to his home in June, 1901. Mr. Kalb is one of the popular men of Scott township, and has many friends else- where in the county, being well known and highly regarded by those with whom he has mingled. His character and integrity have ever been above re- proach and his reputation as an honorable, high-minded gentleman and enter- prising citizen entitles him to a worthy place among the progressive men of his day and generation in the county of Fayette.
Mr. Kalb, on October 23, 1902, was united in marriage with Matilda Liewer, of Carroll. Iowa, daughter of Wendell and Feronica Liewer, who came to this country from Germany. Four children have been born to this union, namely, Vita, born February 9, 1904; Cleopha, May 8, 1905; Norbert, June 12, 1908, and one who died in infancy. The living children represent many fond hopes which the parents indulge for their future.
Mr. and Mrs. Kalb were reared under the influence of the Catholic re- ligion and have always remained loyal to the teachings and traditions of the mother church. They hold membership with the local church at Oelwein and are active in all good work under the auspices of the same.
BENONI W. FINCH.
There are many reasons why the life record of the late Benoni W. Finch, of West Union, should be given a conspicuous position in a history of Fayette county, partly because of his long residence here and his commendable work in the general development of the locality, and partly because of the exemplary life he led, setting the youth of the land a worthy example, which, if they would but follow, would doubtless be of great assistance to them in all walks of life. During the days of national peril in the early sixties Mr. Finch was one of those patriots of the North who proved his love and loyalty to the
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government on the long and tiresome marches, on the tented field and amid the carnage of battle. To such men the country is under a debt of gratitude which it cannot pay, and in centuries yet to be, posterity will commemorate their chivalry in fitting eulogy and tell their knightly deeds in story and song. Like thousands of comrades equally as brave and self-sacrificing as himself, Mr. Finch did his duty nobly and well, as, indeed, he did in all walks of life, never betraying any trust reposed in him. Thus, for this and many another praise- worthy trait of character he deserved the eminent esteem in which he was held by a host of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Finch was one of the pioneers of Fayette county and a native of Niles, Berrien county, Michigan, where his birth occurred on March 1, 1831, the son of Moses and Huldah (Gardner) Finch. According to tradition, three Finch brothers came to America from England just before the Revolu- tionary war, and from one of the trio was descended the subject. Family rec- ords show that Moses Finch was born in Genesee Flats, New York, in No- vember, 1799, and died in November, 1848. His wife, a native of Ohio, died in 1837. In 1830 the Finch family moved to Michigan, where Moses and three brothers purchased an Indian reservation near Niles and settled thereon. The family moved to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1845, and settled near Lake Koshonong, where the father died three years years later, leaving two sons and four daughters. Hannah, the eldest, married Cyrus Hyde, of Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, he being deceased at this writing ; Gilbert B. is a farmer in Westfield township, Fayette county, Iowa, now living retired in Fayette.
Benoni W. Finch came to Fayette county, Iowa, on June 18, 1857, and located at Albany, Westfield township, where he taught school during the winter season, spending the summer months in a cabinet shop. While still living in Westfield township, October 31, 1861, he married Mary E. Butler, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born February 15, 1843, and a daugh- ter of Harrison Butler and wife. To this union five children were born : Eugene, born November 21, 1862, died in February, 1863; Gilbert Benoni, born August 3, 1866; William H., born December 29, 1868, died March 3. 1885; Margaret G., born July 9, 1870, married Earl B. Branch, of West Union ; and Ella, born July 12, 1872, lives in West Union, and is the wife of M. O. Musser. The oldest living child, Gilbert B., is a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was educated in the West Union schools, and for some time he was a traveling salesman. He is a very successful business man.
On August 11, 1862, Benoni W. Finch enlisted in Company G, Thirty- eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the siege and capture of Fort Morgan, Alabama, the siege, charge and capture
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of Fort Blakely, the defense of Mobile and the charge against the strong- hold on April 9, 1865. He made seven voyages with his regiment on the gulf of Mexico and also traveled thousands of miles by rail and steamship, crossing the gulf to Texas, was in the garrison on the border of Mexico from November, 1863, to July, 1864, thence went to Fort Morgan, Alabama, thence to Donaldsonville, Louisiana, where he did garrison duty two months, thence to Morganza, Mississippi, December 12, 1864, where his regiment was con- solidated with the Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry. The troops were then sent to Kenner Station, eight miles above New Orleans, thence to Barrancas, Florida, later to Pensacola, then to Fort Blakely, Alabama, and Mobile, then to Selma, that state, then again to Mobile, where it witnessed the explosion of the magazine, hundreds being killed. The regiment was sent to Houston, Texas, and mustered out at that place on August 15, 1865, being finally dis- charged at Davenport, Iowa, September 6th following. Mr. Finch served three years and twenty-five days, during which time he was never off duty except when sick, proving a very gallant soldier. Although his health was permanently impaired during the service, he never regretted that he had been of some use to his country.
Mr. Finch returned to Fayette county after the war, and, in company with his brother, purchased a farm near Fayette where he remained actively engaged in work on the same until October, 1872, at which time he came to West Union, where he was employed as clerk in a grocery store. He and Frank Ward embarked in the grocery business in 1874. Later Joseph Butler bought Mr. Ward's interest and subsequently sold to A. C. Gunsalus, whose interest Mr. Finch purchased in 1882. He conducted the business alone for two years, then sold out, having enjoyed a very satisfactory patronage all the while. He subsequently had to take back the realty and in July, 1889, again resumed the grocery business, selling out the following November. In April, 1887, Mr. Finch was appointed justice of the peace, serving out an unexpired term, and was elected to that office the following November and he continued to serve in that capacity until his death, giving eminent satisfaction, his de- cisions always being considered as fair and according to the law governing such. During the latter part of his life he represented a number of first-class fire insurance companies. He was a Republican in politics and for many years he served in the city council of West Union. He was an active member of Abernathy Post No. 48, Grand Army of the Republic, and of West Union Lodge No. 25, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was recorder for some time of the same.
The death of this excellent citizen occurred on June 25, 1909. His
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health had been failing rapidly for some years, and he spent the winter of 1904 and 1905 in California and the winter of 1908 and 1909 in Florida. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Union. He was a fine type of the self-made man, growing up in a frontier country as an orphan, securing his education under most adverse circumstances, but he became an intelligent and refined man. In an active life in West Union of over thirty years no one could say aught against him in any way, his character always being strong and courageous. In his private life his character shone with peculiar luster, and as a public spirited citizen and patriot he was well known and admired by all classes for his many praiseworthy attributes.
REV. CORNELIUS STEPHEN REGAN.
The popular young pastor of West Union parish of the Roman Catholic churches under his jurisdiction, is a native of Lycurgus, Allamakee county, Iowa, and was born on the roth of June, 1864. He is a worthy son of Daniel and Mary (Devine) Regan, early pioneers of Allamakee county, and both recently deceased on their old pioneer homestead at Lycurgus. These were people highly esteemed in the community in which most of their married lives were spent, and where their large family of children was born and reared to promising manhood and womanhood. Daniel Regan is character- ized in the obituary notice in the Allamakee Journal as "the grand old man," which shows the estimation in which he was held by those who knew him best. From this notice we are pleased to copy sufficient details to give a compre- hensive understanding as to his life career: He was born at the townsland of Derlis, near Castle Donovan, parish of Drimoleague, county Clark, Ireland, his birth occurring on the Ist of November, 1819. He left his native land on the 20th of June, 1848, and landed at Quebec, Canada, August 15th fol- lowing. After a three months' sojourn in that northern city. he went to Vermont, and remained in that state until July 1, 1850, when he located at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. There, on January 6, 1853, he wedded Mary Devine, a native of his own country, born near Dingle, in county Kerry, in 1838. The young couple at once sought a home in the West and on the 17th of May, 1853, settled on the old homestead in Center township, Allamakee county, Iowa, which was their home ever afterward, until both were called to their final reward. There they shared together the trials and hardships of pioneer life. grew prosperous, enjoying the love and confidence of many
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devoted friends and neighbors, reared a family of loving and appreciative children, and after a sojourn of more than half a century together, surrendered to the inevitable within the short space of eighteen months.
Daniel Regan was a man liberally educated, having received a collegiate training in his native country, and throughout his entire lifetime he took an active interest in public affairs, was a deep reader and thoroughly well in- formed upon current literature and the general topics of the day. He was a patient and trusting sufferer for many months and finally passed away on the 5th of June, 1907. He bore his suffering with true Christian fortitude and such resignation to the will of God as to be characterized as sublime and ennobling. No murmur or word of complaint ever escaped his lips, and he peacefully fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. The cause of his death was prob- ably mostly due to old age, combined with asthmatic trouble which hastened the end. Being in his eighty-eighth year, his physical constitution was simply worn out with the trials and vicissitudes of a long and active life. The funeral was held at St. Mary's church at Lycurgus, the religious home which he had cherished as sacredly as life itself, and had sustained and supported throughout ali the years of its existence, and in which his children had received the ordi- nance of holy baptism, and from whose walls they had gone out into the world to become worthy men and women in the land. The gathering of the people was the largest ever assembled there on a funeral occasion, thus evincing the high esteem in which this venerable citizen was held. Six of his grandsons, Charles E., Peter J. and Daniel Regan, and Daniel, James and William Whalen, tenderly bore the precious clay to its final resting place. The priests who took part in the office of the dead, and solemn high mass, were Father C. S. Regan, of West Union, celebrant; Father Gallahue, of Dubuque, deacon; Father Vaughn, of Lycurgus, sub-deacon; Father Ryan, of New Albin, Iowa, master of ceremonies; Fathers Mccullough, of Dorches- ter, and Garland, of West Ridge, chanters. Father Walsh, of Waukon, de- livered a most consoling and eloquent funeral discourse. The solemn requiem mass was sung by the little girls of the Lansing choir, assisted by D. A. Holmes, under the able leadership of Miss Lizzie Schach. Mr. Holmes, at the request of the deceased, sang as a solo "The Holy City," during the offertory, rendering the beautiful and soul-inspiring ballad "with the spirit and understanding also." This selection was an especial favorite of the departed.
On the 16th of December, 1908, "Grandma Regan" rested from her la- bors. Her death was very peaceful, like one going to sleep. Some months pre- vious to her death she had suffered from a severe attack of bronchitis, from
(79)
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which she never fully recovered, though able to be about the house. She came to America in her youth and resided at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, at the time of her marriage to Daniel Regan, as previously intimated. The union of these early pioneers in northern Iowa was blessed with ten children, three of whom, Daniel, Katherine and Michael, died in infancy or childhood and seven of the family lived to years of maturity. Those left to mourn the loss of their cherished parents were Charles, and Mrs. Patrick Whalen, of Ly- curgus, Iowa; Eleanor, at home; Peter J., of Great Falls, Montana; Rev. Cornelius S., of West Union, Iowa; James, who passed to his reward on the old homestead since the deaths of his parents, and Mrs. D. A. Holmes, of Lansing, Iowa. In addition to these sorrowing sons and daughters, this venerable couple had thirty-two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. As in the case of the grandfather, six grandsons acted as pall bearers at the burial of their grandmother. All of her children were at her bedside when the final summons came. The funeral services were conducted at the same place as that of her husband and under very similar circumstances and con- ditions. The priests who were present to assist in the sad rites were Rev. Father C. S. Regan, celebrant ; Rev: Father G. L. Haxmeier, deacon; Rev. Father Campbell, sub-deacon; the latter also delivering a most excellent and consoling sermon. The solemn requiem mass was sung by the Lansing young ladies' choir, with Miss Lizzie Schach as director and D. A. Holmes, chor- ister. Mr. Holmes sang the favorite hymn of the deceased-"Ave Maria!"
Rev. Cornelius S. Regan, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared to the age of seventeen on the parental homestead at Lycurgus. At that age-in the summer of 1882-he had finished his studies in the common schools and entered upon a course of higher studies in the fall of the same year at the Waukon Normal School. This was his first absence from the parental roof, and a young man of his temperament and filial affection must surely have suffered much by the radical change from home environments to the cold formality of strangers. After spending several terms in attendance at the normal school, he began teaching in the public schools of the county, and the succeeding five years of his life were spent in teaching and attending school. His school attendance was divided between the Waukon high school, the normal school at that place, the Allamakee County Teachers' Institute and the Decorah Normal and Business schools. After completing his prelim- inary educational work, and closing his teaching career,-the latter covering many terms in Allamakee county public schools,-he entered upon a course of study in preparation for the ministry of the Catholic church. Ten days after completing his last term of teaching. he bade adieu to family and friends, and
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on the 22d of March, 1888, he was enrolled as a student at St. Joseph's Col- lege, Dubuque, Iowa. He was graduated from this well known institution, after six years of continuous study, with the class of June, 1893. The young man then took a much needed vacation of a few months amid the loved scenes of his boyhood years, when the archbishop under whose jurisdiction he had been pursuing his studies at St. Joseph, sent him to Montreal, Canada, to pursue his theological course. On the 20th of September, 1893, he be- gan a four years' course in the Grand Seminary. He was graduated and received the minor orders and was ordained, on the 19th of September, 1896, in the imposing St. James Cathedral at Montreal. The thoughts of the young clergyman naturally turned to his early home and its loved environments. He thought of the unpretentious little church at Lycurgus, where so many years before he had received the sacrament of baptism, and first holy commun- ion and confirmation and he came home and made arrangements to say his first holy mass in the little church which was so dear to the family, as well as himself. In St. Mary's church at Lycurgus he said his first holy mass on the 23d of December, 1896. He received his first appointment to pastoral labors as assistant pastor of St. Mary's church in Manchester, Iowa, February 7, 1897, and remained there in that capacity until October 16, 1898, when he was placed in charge of the parish of which Bryant, Iowa, is the center. He remained there in successful work for four years, when the larger field was opened to him at West Union. Father Regan has served the congregations at Fayette, Hawkeye and West Union since January 1, 1903, and has en- deared himself, both to his parishioners and the people at large, by his unos- tentatious yet earnest Christian life. Nearly eight years have been spent profitably and pleasantly in the West Union field where everybody honors and respects Rev. Father Regan.
CHRISTIAN L. FREIBURGHAUS.
No more substantial citizens ever connected themselves with a community than the family of this name, which has been connected with Fayette county for over forty years. They are of the best known Switzerland stock, with a natural turn for all branches of the mechanical arts and invariably successful as artisans. Christian Freiburghaus married Rosina Bigler in his native land and by her had several children, but she died when the latter were young and the father determined to seek a betterment of his condition on distant
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shores. Gathering his young family around him, he set sail for the United States in 1867 and in due time reached the gates that open upon the land of promise. He had picked out Iowa as his destination and lost no time in making his way to that growing state. He located in Clayton county and, though a cabinetmaker by trade, he turned his attention temporarily to car- pentry. In 1869 he changed his place of operations to Fayette county, located at Elgin and opened up a lively trade as carpenter. This he kept up mainly until 1875, but the year previous he took up cabinet work in a furniture store established by his son. He died in May, 1892, after an industrious and useful life.
Christian L. Freiburghaus, son of the old cabinetmaker, was born in Switzerland, November 19, 1855, and was consequently only twelve years old when he crossed the ocean with his father. He was able to obtain a limited education as his fate was that of the "hired boy," overworked all the time. During the summer, when there were no schools, he was pushed hard by his employers in the thousand and one jobs that boys can do on a farm. In winter he had to work for farmers to pay his board and as his hours were long and his tasks exacting, he had little time left for school or private study. The result was that he grew up practically without the kind of education that is obtained in school houses, but he made up the deficiency later by his good sense, faculty of observation and the keeping in touch with affairs around him. In 1873 he came to Elgin to make his home and learned the carpenter's trade under his father. In 1874 the latter started a furniture store at Elgin and his son worked for him until his death in 1881. Since that time he has conducted the business alone and made it one of the prosperous houses of Elgin. In 1893 he built the large store and residence structure which he has since occupied. He also conducts an undertaking business, having received his professional education at Howenshoe and the embalming school at Des Moines, Iowa. In 1881 he married to Rosa Hiltbrunner, a native of Switzerland. Her parents . were John and Elizabeth Hiltbrunner, who came over on the same boat that brought Mr. Freiburghaus to America. By a singular coincidence they pro- ceeded at once to Iowa and located in Elgin on the very spot where Mr. Frei- burghaus has his furniture store and residence. The father of Mrs. Freiburg- haus, who was a tinsmith, died in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Freiburghaus have had eight children ; Emilia, Marie. Ella, Julius, Lillie, Carrie, Katie (died in infancy) and Frieda.
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